April 2, 2026·1:25-CR-00101-SWS-1·Panel Decision·By James Taylor
The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by Scott Vangoethen following his guilty plea. The court granted the government's motion to enforce an appeal waiver contained within Vangoethen's plea agreement.
Scott Vangoethen pleaded guilty to drug and firearm-related charges and was sentenced to one hundred twenty months in prison. He subsequently filed a direct appeal, but his plea agreement included an appeal waiver. The government moved to enforce this waiver, and Vangoethen’s counsel conceded the motion on behalf of the client.
The court’s reasoning
The court relied on the precedent set in United States versus Hahn to enforce the appeal waiver. In light of the defendant’s non-opposition to the enforcement of the waiver, the court granted the government’s motion to dismiss the appeal.
What it means going forward
The dismissal of the appeal finalizes the one hundred twenty month sentence and prevents further judicial review of the conviction or sentence on direct appeal.
